Istanbul - Discover Turkey: Experience the Best of Turkey - page 166

LONG TOURS
Most day-trippers take the Uzun Boğaz Turu (Long Bosphorus Tour) operated by Istan-
bul Şehir Hatları (İstanbul City Routes; www.sehirhatlari.com.tr ) . This travels the entire length
of the strait in a 90-minute one-way trip and departs from the Boğaz İskelesi at Eminönü
daily at 10.35am. From April to October, there is usually an extra service at 1.35pm, and
during summer there is an extra service at noon. A ticket costs " 25 return ( çift ), " 15 one
way ( tek yön ). The ferry stops at Beşiktaş, Kanlıca, Sarıyer, Rumeli Kavağı and Anadolu
Kavağı (the turnaround point). It is not a hop-on, hop-off service; if you disembark, it is
not possible to get back on the ferry and continue in the same direction on the same ticket.
If you have a return ticket, you can get back to Eminönü from all the ferry stops along the
way.
The ferry returns from Anadolu Kavağı at 3pm (plus 4.15pm from April to October).
From April to October, Istanbul Şehir Hatları also operates a two-hour Kısa Boğaz Turu
(Short Bosphorus Tour) cruise that leaves Eminönü daily at 2.30pm. It travels as far as the
Fatih Bridge before returning to Eminönü. Tickets cost " 10.
Check www.sehirhatlari.com.tr for timetable and fare updates for all services, as these
often change.
SHORT TOUR
A shorter option is a cruise on a private excursion boat to Rumeli Hisarı/Anadolu Hisarı
(just before the Fatih Bridge) and back (without stopping). The boats are smaller so you
travel closer to the shoreline and see a lot more. The entire trip takes about 90 minutes and
tickets cost " 10. Turyol boats leave from the dock on the western side of the Galata Bridge
every hour from 11am to 6pm on weekdays and every 45 minutes or so from 11am to
7.15pm on weekends. Boats operated by other companies leave from near the Boğaz
İskelesi.
COMMUTER FERRIES
Jetons (transport tokens) for most trips cost " 2. Routes operated by İstanbul Şehir Hatları (
Click here ) :
» Beşıktaş (near Dolmabahçe Palace)-Kadıköy Every 30 minutes from 7.45am to
9.15pm.
» Eminönü-Kadıköy Approximately every 15 to 20 minutes from 7.30am to 9.10pm.
» Eminönü-Üsküdar Approximately every 20 minutes from 6.35am to 11pm.
» Karaköy-Kadıköy Approximately every 20 minutes from 6.10am to 11pm.